Wednesday Weekly

Happy Happy Wednesday!  

Marshall is 17 weeks today.

He sleeps through the night, which is SO AWESOME!  He loves his sleep and he will definitely let us know when he's tired by having a ridiculous meltdown.  There were a couple nights this week where he fell asleep around 6:30ish and didn't get up until 7am!

What are you thankful for this week?

This week I'm thankful for my son.  He has changed me for the better.  I look at life very different these days.  He adores me and loves me and that is just the best feeling in the world.  I want to be the best Mom I can be for him.  He deserves the world!

I made my very first potato skins over the weekend and they turned out pretty good.  I literally had no clue how to make potato skins but I found out quick that they are super easy.  I'm a huge fan of the Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond).  She is a sweetie, makes great food and has a beautiful family.  Delish!

The Pioneer Woman Potato Skins

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!

Thanksgiving is just over a week away.  

Who's excited for all the food?!  Who's excited for football?!

What's on your menu for Thanksgiving?

We haven't sat down and gone over everything just yet but here's what we have so far:

Not entirely sure on the appetizers.  Still working on that.

Turkey

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Sweet Potato Souffle

Rolls

I also plan to make a pie or two AND Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cakes.  I posted this recipe awhile back as well.  It's a Paula Deen recipe, so you know, it's low fat.  ;) 

I have made these for years and they are to die for.   For those of you that aren't into the traditional pumpkin pie, these are for you!  They are incredible.  My mouth is watering just talking about them.

I found some cute stuff for Thanksgiving at Hobby Lobby.  They have 40% off most of their Thanksgiving items right now.  AND they also have their mason jars 1/2 off!   I found these cute dessert plates and napkins with a chevron pattern.  They were calling my name since I'm obsessed with chevron.  Of course cute straws for some drinks.

I am working on two projects right now.  I'm still trying to get all the materials to make a cute burlap wreath AND I'm re-doing my chalkboard.  I never liked the black frame on my chalkboard, so I'm finally getting around to changing it!  

We will see.

Enjoy the rest of your week.  The weekend is almost here!

My Friday Five

It's Friday, It's Friday...la la la.

This week has gone by so fast!  It's time for family, football, food and wine!

Linking up again with sweet Darci over at The Good Life Blog.  So much fun!  I love reading blogs on Fridays AND finding new blogs to follow.

Here are the top 5 things from the week that I am love, love, loving!


~ ONE ~

My new mug!  I seriously would love to go back to Target and buy them all, but it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to do that.  ;)
I LOVE all different mugs in the cabinet.  I'm working on building our collection.  We have a set of mugs that I find pretty boring, nor do we really use them.  It's so fun to collect cute mugs.  I love to look at some of our mugs and know that they have a story behind them.
I also think coffee tastes so much better when I'm drinking it out of a cute mug!

~ TWO ~

One of my Facebook friends shared this article on Facebook this week and it made my day! Do whatever the *BEEP* you want!  Check it out!

http://yoganonymous.com/12-habits-of-healthy-happy-people-who-dont-give-a-sht-about-your-inner-peace/


~ THREE ~

Gotta love Target.  I grabbed a pack of these cute holiday diapers the other day.  I couldn't help myself, they are just too cute!

~ FOUR ~

I've been feeling a little crafty and creative lately! I've been researching tutorials on how to make burlap wreaths, like this one!  I love it and want to make one!  The chevron is just too adorable - I am obsessed.  Let's see if I actually do it.

~ FIVE ~

I've been thinking about Wisconsin all week and Doug and I have been talking about how excited we are to go home for the holidays.  We are so excited for time with our Wisconsin family, seeing friends and visiting our favorite restaurants.  Not to mention, this will be Marshall's first time meeting his Grandpa Marshall!  I'm counting down the days.  Feeling so grateful that we get to spend Christmas in Wisconsin this year!

Hope you all have a great Friday and an even better weekend!

Wednesday Weekly

Happy Hump Day!

Well, my little peanut is 4 months!  Time sure flies.  I am LOVING this age.  Marshall is so happy and so into smiling, cooing and even laughing.  He looks at me all day long like I'm the best thing on the planet.  I have to say, that feels pretty darn good.  BUT, once 6:30pm(ish) rolls around, he becomes the sleepy mister crabs and by 8pm he's out cold like clock work.   

As if anyone didn't know, I'm so crazy in love with my little man it's ridiculous.

The weather was gorgeous today, so we ventured out for a walk.  I just can't get enough of this face!  :)

What are you thankful for this week?

Many of my friends have been posting on facebook what they are thankful for daily for the month of November.  I really love reading what everyone has to say.  I totally thought about doing it myself but...well, I forgot.  I thought I'd start now and say what I'm thankful for this week!

  Well, here goes mine.  

I am thankful for girlfriends! When I first moved to Boise on Super Bowl Sunday 2011, it was not easy.  I was finally with my man, but I was missing an extremely important part of my life, my friends.  I knew it would take time to meet new people but I was so impatient.  I missed girls' nights and shopping and chatting on the couch for hours about boys and laughing so hard that my stomach hurt. 

And now, I'm happy to say that I've met some pretty incredible people out here in Boise as well.  I am lucky to have so many great women in my life.  I'm thankful for each and every one of you. 

We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year, so I'm getting really excited to get our menu together!  I can't wait for lots of amazing food and cooking in the kitchen with my hubby!  It'll definitely be a bit different this year with Marshall.  This time of year is incredibly sentimental for me.  We found out that I was pregnant last year the day before Thanksgiving.  I remember calling my parents and telling them, and then telling Doug's parents on Thanksgiving.  It was such a wonderful day!

I'm even more excited for Christmas!

Target for the win with these adorable holiday print diapers.  :)  I couldn't resist.

Happy Wednesday!

XOXO

Jamie

What's new?

HAPPY TUESDAY!

It's been awhile since I've blogged.   It's so crazy how time flies when you have a child.  The days are not long enough!

Well let's see...Marshall is three months already!  Can you believe it?!  I like to say, three months YOUNG!  He has become such a happy little guy.  Of course we have our meltdown's, but all the smiles these days make up for all the fussy times. ;)  As much as I like to get a little sad face when I see him growing so fast, I am loving this age.  He is so responsive and smiley.

Everyone still says he looks just like Doug.  BUT, I have been hearing more and more that he has my eyes!  Woot woot.  Let's just hope they stay blue!

Marshall's current favorite is...

Bright Stars Safari Gym

He absolutely loves this thing!  It's so cute to see him smiling at the lights and learning how to use his hands to hit the hanging toys.  I think his favorite accessory is the mirror.  He sure loves to look in that mirror and smile. :)

Not too sure what's been goin on with little ole Marshall's hair these days but it's sure giving us a laugh.  Doug said he looks like Frank Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond.  I think he's right.  Poor Marshall.

I ran my first post-baby half marathon about a week ago.  It felt so flippin good!  

I tried running during pregnancy but I seriously felt like I was going to die, so that didn't last long.  The day the doctor cleared me to run again, I literally went out that same afternoon for a run.  It felt great but awful at the same time.  I knew it would take a bit to get back into shape but just after a few days of running, I sure was amazed at how my body was able to bounce back into running.  I was excited and eager to run more, so I decided I'd give the City of Tree's half marathon a whirl.  I went into it with an open mind and no time goal this time around.  I really only wanted to finish.  Well, I finished, felt awesome and was excited to see my supportive hubby and sweet little baby at the finish line. 

 It was a great day!

Today is our anniversary...Happy 2 Year Anniversary to us!

It feels like yesterday that Doug and I first started "dating!"  Or I should say, long distance dating, flying out to see each other every other weekend!  Those were the days!

A little over 2 months later we were engaged and 9 months after that, MARRIED!

What a journey it's been so far.  We traveled a bit, took some weekend road trips and really soaked up the time together.  I am so glad we did!  I have absolutely loved the last 3 years together!  Beyond excited to continue our adventure together.

Our first picture together...

Last year during this time was a very special time for us.  We were in the process of IVF.  I had just started my first round of medications and we were in Seattle celebrating our anniversary for the weekend.  Who knew that a year later we would have our perfect little miracle.  We are so blessed, beyond blessed. 

Us on our anniversary last year at the Crab Pot in Seattle.  Love that place!

Tonight we will be celebrating at home with our traditional seafood feast!  

Happy Anniversary to my best friend, the man who makes me smile each and every day!  Thank you for the last 3 years together and for making me a Mommy.  

I love you!

Cheers to a great day!

five on friday

It's finally Friday, wahoo!  

Even though my job is currently being a stay at home Momma, I still get excited for Friday.  Friday means that I get to spend more time with my husband, we get to spend more time as a family AND I get an extra hand with the little guy.  ;)  Friday is a good day!

Linkng up with Darci again today for Five on Friday!  Five things that I'm loving this week.

Ready....GO...

~one~

I've seen this flying around Instagram and Facebook this week and I just LOVE it.  October is by far my favorite month.  October means FALL and October also means it's the anniversary of the day I married my best friend!

~two~

I recently scooped up this hooter candle holder!  Is this not the cutest?!  Bath & Body works for the win once again!  Bath & Body works has been really coming out with some cute stuff this Fall.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm a Bath & Body soap and scents hoarder.

~three~

I am so excited about my new leggings!  CAMO!  I saw these at Express and had to have them.  These beauties were originally $34.90.  Crazy for one pair of leggings.  Well, since I'm an extreme coupon coder, I ended up getting them for $5.19.  That's right!  Doug was very pleased!  Not sure what to wear them with yet but I'm sure I'll figure it out.  I'm thinking Uggs and a long cardigan???

~four~

Running.  
As soon as I was cleared to exercise again at my 6 week check-up, I literally went out that same day for my first run.  I felt so rusty at first but then it just started to get easier and feel better.  Now, it feels awesome and I'm slowly starting to feel back to my old self.   This week I've felt absolutely amazing when out running - especially since the weather has cooled down!

~five~

THIS made me laugh out loud.

Happy Friday everyone and HAPPY WEEKEND!

XOXO

It's October 1st!

With it being the first day of October, I thought I'd share one of my all time favorite Fall recipes.  This is to die for!  For those of you that love pumpkin but aren't huge pumpkin pie fans, this recipe is for you!!!  
It's such a light and healthy dessert (insert sarcasm here). 

Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cakes

Ingredients

Cake Mix:
1 package of yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
1 (8oz) package of low-fat cream cheese (softened)
1 (15oz) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 (16oz) box powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine cake mix, egg, butter and mix well with an electric mixer.  This mixture will be very thick.  I sometimes need to add a splash of water to be able to mix it up.  Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan.

To make the filling:
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth.  Add the eggs, vanilla, butter and beat together.  Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and mix well.  Spread the mixture over cake batter and bake for 40-50 minutes.  Make sure not to over-bake as the center should be a little gooey.  Let it cool for a bit.

Serve with fresh whipped cream.  I just use a dollop of Cool Whip on each piece.  

I have always used unsalted butter and low fat cream cheese.  It makes me feel a little better when eating it.  ;)  

ENJOY!

Happy First Day of Fall!

Yesterday kicked off the first official day of Fall and I couldn't be more excited.  This is by far my favorite season and I get giddy thinking about the cool weather rolling in.  Sweatshirts, vests, scarves and boots galore! Not to mention, the leaves outside, Fall scented candles burning in the house and lots of good Fall soups! 

We kicked off the morning with Mimosas!  Paired with a delish brunch made by my hubby.  Sweet Potato Hash with egg whites, chicken sausage, orange pepper, and onion.  Yum!

Unfortunately we lost to the Bengals today!  Boooooo!

Soup Sundays!  

We also made our first soup of the season.  Well, Doug actually made it, I just supervised laid on the couch.  Homemade chicken broth with homemade noodles, carrots, celery and onion.  It was so good!  And we have plenty of leftovers.

I'll be sharing some new recipes soon!  

Hope everyone had a great weekend and first day of Fall!  

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday!

I'm super excited for the weekend.  

Football, cooking, time with my hubby and little man, AND the first official day of Fall is Sunday!  Could it get any better?!  YES! - Add wine to that list.  ;)

Here is my current love this for the week...

1.  I'm going to start with my favorite picture from this week.  Of course it's of my little guy.    Pretty sure I'm obsessed with taking pictures of him.  Now, I will add that he is not always smiling.  Who takes pics of their little ones crying?  Exactly!  So of course they're all happy happy happy pictures!  This kid cracks me up.  He's 8 weeks old and he is becoming a little character.  I'm so sad that he's growing so stinkin fast but it's so much fun watching him change and develop.

2.  This candle from Bath & Body is seriously the best for Fall.  The scent is called "Leaves." It smells so good AND how cute is the mason jar?!  

3.  Yep, this pretty much sums it up.

4.  I love handbags!  I haven't bought a new one in so long.   I came across this beauty and I think I need it in my life.  It's funny how when you become a Mom, your purse pretty much becomes the diaper bag.  Or at least for awhile.  I miss carrying a purse all the time.

5.  We tried a new Tilapia recipe this week.  We love Tilapia but it's such a bland fish that you really need to add tons of flavor.  This recipe was awesome and it turned out to be so fresh tasting!

Ginger and Cilantro Baked Tilapia

1 lb tilapia fillets

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

1 inch fresh ginger, grated, about 1 tablespoon

1 jalapeño pepper, roughly chopped (optional)

1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves

1/4 cup white wine

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Scallions, chopped for garnish

Extra cilantro, to garnish

Heat the oven to 475°F. Pat the fish dry, season lightly with salt and pepper, and lay in a 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch ceramic or glass baking dish.

Put the garlic, grated ginger, chopped jalapeño, and cilantro in a small food processor with the white wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Whir until blended. (Alternately, you can finely chop or mash the aromatics in a mortar and pestle, then whisk together with the liquid ingredients.)

Pour the sauce over the fish, rubbing it in a little. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through. It will be very moist and even a little gelatinous, still.

Serve immediately over brown rice or orzo, garnished with the additional scallions and cilantro.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and an even greater weekend!

Five on Friday Link Up

It's Friday already?  Seriously, time flies when you have a newborn baby!  And boy oh boy, what a week it's been!

~ one ~

This little handsome man.  I'm obviously obsessed with his cuteness.  I didn't think it was possible but I fall more and more in love with him each and every day.  He is my little miracle baby and his Daddy and I adore him.  

~ two ~

Another fantastic recipe!  We actually tried this one weeks ago but I haven't had a chance to post it yet. We had it again this week and I'm so addicted.  It's such a light meal and it's even better the next day for leftovers.  It is the bomb.com!

Sesame and Peanut Noodles

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
12 ounces linguine
Peanut Dressing:
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Zest and juice of 1/2 lime
Salad:
1/2 cup loosely-packed chopped fresh cilantro
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
1/3 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup roughly chopped skinless roasted peanuts, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the sesame seeds in a pie tin and toast in the oven until light golden in color, 4 to 6 minutes, and set aside. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente. Do not overcook. Drain, reserving some of the starchy pasta water, rinse and set aside.

For the peanut dressing: Place the peanut butter in a large measuring cup and microwave to soften, 15 seconds. Whisk in with the soy sauce, vinegar, canola oil, ginger, honey, Sriracha, sesame oil and lime zest and juice in a small bowl. Thin with the starchy pasta water if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time. (Dressing should be thick, but pourable.)

For the salad: Place the pasta in a large mixing bowl and add the cilantro and vegetables and toss with the dressing. Top with the chopped peanuts and toasted sesame seeds and serve.

~ three ~

Bath & Body has all their soaps & scents out for Fall!  Eeek!  I'm one of those people that hoards soaps and the plug ins for our house.  Love, Love, Love!  They now have these mason jar soaps and mason jar candles.  I scored the Meyer Lemon scent in the mason jar soap - stinkin adorable!

~ four ~

News Flash!!!  We are going home to Wisconsin for Christmas!  We were just able to make it official this week and we could not be more excited!  My Dad has yet to meet his newest Grandbaby.  The name Marshall came from my Dad, so we are so excited for him to meet his little Marshall :)  I'm also excited for the rest of my fam & friends to meet him.

~ five ~ 

The look of Fall!  Our trees our beginning to change colors.  This is my favorite time of year.  I just hope our weather begins to cool down.  It sure doesn't feel like football season until the weather has cooled down!

Saturday is my hubby's birthday.  It's a little harder to really do much of anything with a newborn, so I decided to stay in, cook him a really great dinner, maybe have some wine on the patio and dessert.  I'm looking forward to celebrating him.  He's a terrific man, my best friend and an amazing father!  

Cheers to a fabulous weekend! 

Five on Friday Link Up

~one~

New nail polish!  It's always a good day when you buy new nail polish colors!
Left: Java Muave-A  Right: Berlin There Done That (my new fave)

~two~

Another fabulous new recipe we tried this past week!  Well, the hubs found it and made it while I was on baby duty.

Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu
We cut this recipe in 1/2 since it's just the two of us.

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - pounded thin
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb brie thinly sliced (we actually used havarti)
2 lemons - halved
8 paper thin slices prosciutto
1/4 lb baby arugula

Brush chicken on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Grill the chicken until slightly charred on both sides and just cooked through.  Put a few slices of cheese on each breast, close the cover and let melt slightly about (40 seconds) 
Brush the cut side of lemons with oil and grill, cut side down until golden brown and slightly charred (about 45 seconds) 
Place chicken on serving plates, top each breast with 2 slices of prosciutto and some arugula.  Squeeze the grilled lemon on top and drizzle with olive oil.

SO YUMMY!  And bummer, I forgot to take a picture!  

~three~

I went to World Market last night and came across this...

Is this not adorable?!  I'm loving this look with the classic dining table and different chairs. I am obsessed with this look!

~four~

LOVE, LOVE, LOVING these and these Portofino shirts from Express.  I want one in every color!  So far I've purchased the green sleeveless.  Too cute and can be paired with so much!
AND...right now they are 40% off!  Holla!

~five~

I've discovered a new Etsy shop -  The Mason Bar Company!  If you have a love for anything Mason Jar, you will love this!  I am so excited about these tumblers!  They even fit in your car cup holder.

Have a fabulous weekend!  It's the very first weekend of college football!  Looking forward to some beer & brats!

five on friday!

~ one ~

I'm obsessed with all the fox apparel that Carter's came out with for Fall!  The line is called "Sly Little Guy" and it's OH SO CUTE!   Who knew I'd be so excited to buy clothes for my little man.  

Check out this foxy little guy!

~ two ~

We love trying new recipes in our house!  Here's one we tried last night and it was absolutely delish and super easy!  Doug was on baby daddy duty while I was able to cook in the kitchen (while enjoying a glass of vino).  And let me tell you, it was a-mazing!

Red Pepper Garlic Chicken Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:
1 lb fettuccine pasta
1 lb spicy italian chicken sausage (removed from casings)
2 red bell peppers (sliced into strips)
1 orange bell pepper (sliced into strips)
1/2 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves (peeled & chopped)
1 tbsp red pepper flakes (for those that like spice, you can definitely add more)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tbsp of chopped basil leaves
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a small pan, heat 1/2 cup olive oil over medium heat.  Add the garlic and saute until l fragrant.  Just heat it, don't let it get real brown or burn.   Add the red pepper flakes and saute for another minute or so.  Turn heat off and set aside
Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little splash of olive oil.  Add the chicken sausages and break them up using a wooden spoon.  Cook until light brown.  Add the bell peppers and saute until soft.
In the meantime, bring  a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook fettuccine until al dente.  Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
Add together the noodles, garlic oil and sausage & peppers.  Add as much of the pasta water as you'd like to make the sauce (or none at all).
Add in the parmesan (we used parmesan romano) and herbs.

We will definitely be making this again at some point.  A nice light, healthier pasta.
Enjoy!

~ three ~

My latest breakfast addiction!  
Sourdough toast with crunchy peanut butter and cut up bananas on top.  I wake up craving this - how pathetic.  I try to make my cup of coffee and make my little breakfast quickly, first thing before Marshall wakes up.  It's nice to have a little bit of quiet time while enjoying my toast and coffee.  Even if it is only 5 minutes.  Then it's go time!

~ four ~

FALL is right around the corner and this girl could not be more excited!
I'm beginning to salivate over the thought of chili in the crockpot, Fall scented candles, leaves falling, vests & boots, cool weather and I'll save the best for last - TAILGATING, BEER & FOOTBALL.   Marshall's going to get to experience tailgating very soon!

Now, all we need is this 90-100 degree weather to get lost!

~ five ~

My friend Kelly.  We went through our pregnancy journey together (this was the first for both of us) and now we've gotten to enjoy these first few weeks of motherhood together.  We've been able to lean on each other through all the life changes and let me tell you - it has been such a blessing!   Our little babes are only a week apart.  Best friends already?  Why yes they are!  Love ya girl!  :)

Hope you all have a fantastic Friday, and weekend!